Unemployment Falls by 57,000

Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics show unemployment in the UK fell by 57,000 to 2.51 million in the three months to May.

Youth unemployment fell by 20,000 and the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants in June fell by 21,200 to 1.48 million, the first fall below 1.5 million for nearly three years.

Unemployment is now 72,000 lower than a year ago, which Employment Minister Mark Hoban said was “encouraging.”

Mr Hoban said, “The fall in the number of people claiming out-of-work benefits, together with the news that there are currently over half a million vacancies available in the UK economy, show that there are opportunities out there for those who are prepared to work hard, and who aspire to get on in life.”